Kaizer Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune accepts and regrets the decision to strip him of his captaincy. Image Source: (@ItumelengKhune/Instagram)
Kaizer Chiefs tour: NINE new faces, SIX nowhere to be seen!
Exciting times!
Kaizer Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune accepts and regrets the decision to strip him of his captaincy. Image Source: (@ItumelengKhune/Instagram)
Going on holiday is fun, even if it’s a work trip. Kaizer Chiefs are heading to Turkey with a bunch of fresh faces on board, while Itumeleng Khune is stuck at home.
Kaizer Chiefs keen on some Turkish delight
Amakhosi’s players and technical team members boarded a plane to Turkey on Thursday. Here’s what’s been going down with the Glamour Boys as they go hang out in Europe for a bit.
Nine new Kaizer Chiefs faces
Former Orlando Pirates left-back Bongani Sam was with the group. It’s also alleged that 19-year-old Siphesihle Tati and 18-year-old Nkosana Mbuthu are in training with the senior squad and on tour. Chiefs are joined by five new technical team members, notably their new head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Assistant Fernando Da Cruz, second assistant Kalil Ben Youssef, performance analyst Ayman Makroud, goalkeeping coach Ilyes Mzoughi and conditioning coach Madji Safi are also there. It’s a serious shake-up of the technical team, and the board hopes it pays rich dividends.
Walking wounded
A quintet of senior players have remained at home with injuries. They are George Matlou, Tebogo Potsane, Ashley Du Preez, Mduduzi Mdantsane and Dillan Solomons.
The final nail in Khune’s coffin at Chiefs, surely?
It’s been a bit of a soap opera for the entire season but Itumeleng Khune’s omission from the touring party speaks volumes. Besides, why would he be with the players if his contract is up? The legendary 37-year-old stopper has the extremely rare honour of being a one-club man. Famous around the world for his sensational distribution of a football, he’s also displayed superb shot-stopping abilities for club and country down the years. Khune made his PSL debut for Amakhosi against Jomo Cosmos in August 2007.
In the 17 years that have elapsed, he has scooped seven major honours with the Glamour Boys, including three DStv Premiership crowns in 2005, 2013 and 2015. This guy was also PSL Footballer of the Year in 2013. Say what you will, but Khune is a bona fide Amakhosi legend. Oh, and there’s also also 91 caps for his country. If this is the end, which it really should be, it’s been a great ride.
What are you expecting the team to gain from this tour? Let us know in the comments section below.
